In the Siddha system of Medicine cotyledons of the seeds of C. Lanatus are known as Mulam/Pullum/Pitcha (Tamil) and used as Pulukolli (Vermifuge), Karpa moolikai (General tonic) and as Aanmeiperukki (Aphrodisiac). In the Ayurvedic system of Medicine seeds are said to have properties like Sheeta (cooling), Mootrala (Diuretic) and Vrshya (Aphrodisiac). The present paper deals with macro and microscopical studies, maceration, histochemical tests, solubility, physical contents, extractive values, tests for inorganic and organic constituents, U.V. and thin layer chromatographic studies.

A preliminary survey of medicinal plants conducted surrounding forest region of Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh, among these abnormality of wild variegated Andrographis paniculata medicinal plant and its details are reported in this paper.

Aqueous, light petroleum, chloroform, alcohol, benzene and acetone extracts of the leaves of Coccinia indica (Family: Cucurbitaceae) were screened for antihepatotoxic activity. The extracts were given after the liver was damaged with Ccl4 Liver function was assessed based on liver to body weight ratio pentobarbitone sleep time, serum levels of transaminase (SGPT, SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP and bilirubin. Alcohol and light petroleum was found to have good anti-hepatotoxic activity.

Low back pain is becoming a major health problem now a days. This may be due to adopting faulty posture and living habits. A glance through Ayurvedic classic reveal many terms used for describing the condition. This article aims to understand these terms in a better way and to make a proper diagnosis for better management.

Clinical trial of an indgenous compound drug nishaamalki in the management of madhumeha vis-à-vis diabetes mellitus

p. 18

RK Yadav, R Mishra, RP Chhipa, KC Audichya

A Clinical trial of Indigenous compound drug 'Nishamalaki' was carried out in the CRI (Ayurveda) Hospital, Jaipur on the patient of Madhumeha. For this study, patients were randomly divided into two groups of 25 individuals each and they were termed as group A and B. The individuals of group a were administered Nishamalaki in a dose of one gram twice daily along with diet control, the patients were followed every fort nightly. A significant improvement in the symptoms along with lowering of blood glucose level was observed in the individuals of group B, while the individuals of group A responded initially but could not sustain the same.

An ethanol extract of Pipal has been studied for its ability to inhibit gastric acidity and to protect gastric mucosa against the injuries caused by pyloric ligation, acetyl salicylic acid and cytodestructing agents (80% ethanol, 06M Hcl and 0.2 M Hcl) in rats. The results of this study demonstrate that ethanol extract of papal has significant effects on various experimentally induced ulcers. It reduced significantly the intensity of gastric lesions induced by pylorus ligation, acetyl salicylic cid (ASA) and mucosal damaging agents. Also the total acidity was found to be decreased Acutic toxicity testis shoed no toxic symptoms or mortality over a period of 7 days with doses 0.25-1.5 gm/kg. These findings suggests that ethanol extract of papal exerts anticulcer effects by increasing gastric mucosal resistance and cyto-protective activities.

Shoola roga has been described in Ayurvedic Classics as a painful abdominal disease associated with other clinical features but without any obvious localized swelling. The various remedies described by the Ayurvedic authorities are mainly to normalize the Vata dosha in all types of shoola roga. Panchakarma therapy always plays an important role in normalizing the Vata dosha, Although every panchakarma procedure is not indicated for each type of shoola still panchakarma therapy is good for shoola roga treatment.

Investigations of anti-viral properties on extract of pleurotus sajor caju

p. 34

SM Verma, R Prasad, N Kudada

Pleurotus sajor caju spawns prepared, yield fruiting bodies, Aqueous extract of these was used to test for inhibitory against Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Infectivity assay (locallesion) method was employed for the anti-viral activity. Treatments, on host plants, were distributed using half-leaf method. The results indicated that extract of the edible mushroom showed anti-viral property.

The paper deals with the detailed pharmacognosy of the whole plant of Orilaitamarai (Hybanthus enneasperms) sold in the local market under the name Purusharatna, Ratanpursuha. The studies include macro, microscopical, histochemical and diagnostic characters of the root, stem and leaf. The physical constants, fluorescence characteristics and chromatographic studies of the whole plant are also presented.

The drug safed-musali' has always remained the subject of dispute and object of investigations. This paper evaluates comparatively its ethnomedicinal records as also those found in literature on the modern usage in Indian context alongwith the observations of the present author. The safedmusali belongs to the various species of two different well known liliaceous genera viz., Asparagus L. and Chlorophytum Ker-Gowl., and a least known orchidaceous genus Pachystoma Bl. It appears that the wide modern usage of safed-musali might have sprung from its ethnomedicinal leads in our country. The plant sources of its procurement although varied should be regarded only as surrogates for each other. The drug itself is a substitute for 'Salep' or 'Salep-misri'. In the light of present investigation, it is surveyed, reviewed and highlighted pertinently. The attempts to cultivate different species which are implicated as safed-musali need a fillip for the betterment of tribal people and Indian societies at large.